Chip/cracker loader

ABSTRACT

An apparatus attached or manufactured inside a bowl/server is disclosed for facilitating the loading a condiment dip on to a food item such as a chip or cracker without spillage outside the bowl/server.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This invention pertains to a transverse partition wall attached or manufactured inside a bowl/server that is configured for the efficient loading of a dip on to a food item such as a chip or cracker without spillage of the loaded dip outside the bowl/server.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Dips are a favorite condiment at social events that add texture or flavor to a food item, such as crackers, potato or tortilla chips. Unlike other sauces, instead of applying the sauce to the food, the food item is typically partially dipped into the dipping sauce. Depending on the nature and consistency of the dip, the dip on the immersed food can be uneven or drip spoiling clothes and causing a mess.

There is a need in the art for a modified bowl/server that facilitates the consumption of a food item immersed in various dips without undue spillage.

Examples of related art are described below:

The published U.S. Patent Application 2007/0059461 discloses a container for containing a preselected dip. The container has a lip means disposed on an upper portion of the container for removing excess preselected dip from at least one of a chip, cracker, pretzel and vegetable used for dipping in the preselected dip.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,107,530 discloses a food serving bowl with integrated straining capabilities and a securable lid. A lower surface of the bowl is provided with a rotating cover, thereby exposing a plurality of holes allowing any liquid contained within the bowl to be strained out. A bottom section of the bowl is divided into triangular sections. In an alternating manner a first plurality of sections are provided with holes while a second plurality of sections are not. The movable cover obstructs the open holes when in a closed position, thereby allowing the device to function as a conventional bowl. The device can therefore serve as both a straining container as well as a food mixing or serving bowl.

The published U.S. Patent Application 2016/0120337 describes sports balls bisected such that the two sides of the sports ball separate yet are still attached at a specific point holding the bisected pieces together, causing an opening between the two sides, but not a complete separation. The bisected sports ball may maintain its original appearance on its outer surface but will hold one concave mold in each side that has been fitted to the internal shape of each side, holding the shape of an inflated version of that specific sports ball. The fitted molds are covered with fabric that complements the outer color of the ball and the theme of the gifts that will be displayed within the sports ball. The entire sports ball display will attach to a flat-bottom base to ensure immobility and stability of the display unit

U.S. Pat. No. D0483227 S discloses a chip and dip dish.

U.S. Pat. No. D0619421 S discloses a salsa bowl.

None of the art described above addresses all of the issues that the present invention does. For example, none of the art enables a food item to be loaded onto a chip or cracker without the food item being pushed out of the bowl/dish. None of the art teaches a wall structure with openings to allow the more fluid parts of the dip to transverse the wall to the other side of the bowl/dish thereby facilitating a more consistent and fuller loading of the chip or cracker. None of the art discloses a T shape configuration to load the chip or cracker more fully and not push the food item outside of the bowl/server without the use of another item to stop the food item, such as a utensil or finger.

Finally, none of the cited prior art allows for the retro-fitting of existing bowls/dishes.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In a first aspect, an open top container is disclosed that comprises a peripheral wall defining a generally closed inner chamber; a transverse partition wall inside the container inner chamber separating the inner chamber into a first and a second compartments, wherein the first compartment contains a condiment dip, and wherein the transverse partition wall is configured to facilitate the loading of the condiment dip onto a food item without spillage outside the container's peripheral wall.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, a cross section of the top of the transverse partition wall has a T shape configuration.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the T shape configuration comprises a 90-degree angle filled with a curvature.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the size of the first compartment is greater than that of the second compartment.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the second compartment is empty.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the bottom, distal and proximal edges of the transverse partition wall form a fluid-tight seal with the receptacle's inner chamber.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the transverse partition wall is perpendicular to the peripheral wall and base of the container's inner chamber.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the transverse partition wall comprises a plurality of apertures.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the transverse partition wall is removable.

In certain embodiments of the first aspect, the proximal and distal ends of the transverse partition wall comprise a fastening means.

In a second aspect, a method for loading a condiment dip onto a food item without spillage is disclosed comprising partially immersing the food item into the condiment dip contained in an open top container comprising a peripheral wall defining a generally closed inner chamber; a transverse partition wall inside the container inner chamber separating the inner chamber into a first and a second compartment, wherein the first compartment contains the condiment dip, and moving the food item through the condiment dip toward and up the transverse partition wall prior to removing the food item from the open top container, wherein a cross-section of the top of the transverse partition wall has a T shape configuration with a curvature filling the 90-degree angle that facilitates the loading of the condiment onto the food item without spillage outside the container's peripheral wall.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the transverse partition wall is perpendicular to the peripheral wall and base of the container's inner chamber.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the size of the first compartment is greater than that of the second compartment.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the second compartment is empty.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the transverse partition wall comprises a plurality of apertures that facilitate the removal of excess condiment dip loaded onto the food product.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the transverse partition wall is detachable.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the transverse partition wall is movable.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the food item comprises a dry baked food product.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the baked food product comprises a potato or tortilla chip, a cracker or a pretzel.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the food item is a vegetable.

In certain embodiments of the second aspect, the condiment dip comprises salsa, cheese or a sauce.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary top perspective view of a bowl/server having a transverse partition wall.

FIG. 1B depicts an exemplary perspective view of the transverse partition wall of FIG. 1A showing a T shape configuration.

FIG. 1C depicts an exemplary side perspective view of the transverse partition wall of FIG. 1A showing a plurality of apertures.

FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary side perspective view of a bowl/server having a first transverse partition wall with apertures that superimpose on the apertures of a second sliding transverse partition wall.

FIG. 2B shows an exemplary side perspective view of the bowl/server of FIG. 2A having a first transverse partition wall in which the apertures are out of register with respect to the apertures of the second sliding transverse partition wall.

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary top perspective view of a bowl/server where the transverse partition wall is attached to the bowl/server using a clip-on fastener.

FIG. 3B shows an exemplary side perspective view showing the inner and outer edge of the clip-on fastener clamped onto the side wall of the bowl/server.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

The disclosure pertains to a modified bowl/server that facilitates the loading of a condiment dip onto a food item, such as a chip or cracker, in a more consistent manner without the food item being pushed out of the bowl/server and without the use of a tool, such as a finger, to load the condiment dip onto the food item.

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary top perspective view of a bowl/server 1 having a transverse partition wall 2 reversibly attached or manufactured that separates the interior of the bowl/server 1 into two compartments 6 and 7. The transverse partition wall extends and contacts the edge of the bowl/server 9 from the proximal side 3 to the distal side 4. In the present example, the reservoir formed by compartment 6 is filled with a condiment dip depicted in the schematic by grey shading. In this example, the top of the transverse partition wall 2 has a T shape configuration with a planar top 5 that forms a right angle with the transverse partition wall 2. In certain embodiments, compartment 7 can filled with a different condiment dip from that located in compartment 6. The transverse partition wall can have a thickness of about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 or 1 inch.

The bowl/server can have any shape, for example, elliptical, circular, square or rectangular. In certain embodiments, the bowl/server can be made of any sturdy, impermeable material, e.g. plastic, china or stainless steel, provided it is capable of containing a liquid or spreadable condiment dip. The side of the bowl/server 9 can be about 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2 inches in thickness and from about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 inches in height from its base. The greatest approximate diameter of the bowl/server 1 can be from about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 inches or more.

In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be built into the bowl/server 1 at the time of manufacturing. It can be made of the same material of the bowl/server 1 or of a different material. The number and location of the transverse partition wall 2 manufactured into the bowl/server 1 can vary based on the number and type of condiment dips being served or the size of the bowl/server 1. The transverse partition wall 2 can straddle the entire or part of the bowl/server 1.

FIG. 1B shows a view of the T shape configuration from the perspective of a transverse plane 8. The top 5 of the T shape configuration can be perpendicular to the transverse partition wall 2. In this example, the right angle formed by the top 5 and the wall 2 can be filled with a curvature 10 made from a material that is similar to that of the transverse partition wall. The food item can then be pushed through the condiment dip, slide against and up the transverse partition wall to the T shape configuration at its top 5 and along the curvature 10. This process allows for a uniform and consistent loading of the condiment dip onto the food item without part of the condiment dip not being loaded onto the food item and remaining stuck in the right angle formed by the T shape configuration. In certain embodiments, the top 5 can form an angle of 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 or 90 degrees with the transverse partition wall 2. The top 5 of the T shape configuration can extend out from about 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2 inches on one or both sides of the plane 11 formed by the transverse partition wall 2. The top 5 of the T shape configuration can be near or at the same level as the top of the side walls 9 of the bowl/server 1. If the T portion of the transverse partition wall 2 is at the same level as the top of the side wall 9 of the bowl/server 1 or below no side structure closing off the T is necessary. If, however, the T portion of the transverse partition wall 2 is above the top of the side wall 9 of the bowl/server 1 then a side structure of a similar or same material can cover the area from the top of the T to the top of the side wall 9 of the bowl/server so as to stop any food item from exiting the bowl/server 1 during the loading of the condiment dip onto the food item.

In certain embodiments, the bottom of the transverse partition wall 2 is substantially perpendicular with respect to the plane formed by the bottom of the bottom of the bowl/server 1. In certain embodiments, the bottom of the transverse partition wall 2 is adjacent to the bottom of the bowl/server 1. In certain embodiments, the bottom of the transverse partition wall 2 can be about 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 or 3 inches from the bottom of the bowl/server 1. In certain embodiments, the bottom of the transverse partition wall 2 contacts the bottom of the bowl/server 1. In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 only contacts the side internal wall of the bowl/server 1. In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be planar. In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be non-planar. In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can have a first and second part. In certain embodiments, the first and second parts of the transverse partition wall 2 can have FIG. 1C shows an exemplary side view of the transverse partition wall 2 with a plurality of apertures 12. The apertures 12 can have any shape, e.g. circular, having an approximate diameter of about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 or 1 inch. In certain embodiments, the apertures can be horizontal, vertical with respect to the top 5 of the transverse partition wall 2. In certain embodiments, the bottom and lateral edges of the transverse partition wall 2 can contact the interior wall of the bowl/server 9. In other embodiments, the bottom and/or lateral edges of the transverse partition wall 2 do not contact the interior wall of the bowl/server 9. In certain embodiments, the top 5 of the transverse partition wall 2 is coplanar with the top of the wall 9 of the bowl/server 1. In certain embodiments, the top 5 of the transverse partition wall 2 can be any height that conforms with its use for loading a condiment dip on a food item.

For example, a salsa dip can have a chunky consistency (chunks of tomato and other food pieces) with watery remnants. When salsa is loaded onto a food item, such as a chip or cracker, the watery remnants usually run off the chip when the chunky portion of the salsa is loaded onto the chip/cracker. The apertures 12 allow the water remnants of the salsa to pass through the transverse partition wall 2 while the movement of the food item with the more solid components of the salsa up the transverse partition wall 2 and the curvature 10 of the T shape configuration facilitates the loading of more salsa on the food item without spillage outside the confines of the bowl/server 1.

In certain embodiments, a cross section of the bowl server 1 can have any shape including, but not limited to, a substantially square, rectangular, triangular, circular, ellipsoid or hexagonal shape.

In certain embodiments, the bowl server 1 can be divided into 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more compartments.

Exemplary condiment dips are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, spreadable dip, salsas, various dairy or fat-based dips, i.e., “chip dips”, etc. Flavors include but are not limited to barbecue, hot & spicy, ranch dressing, cheese and seasoned cheese such as jalapeno cheese, honey, mustard, ketchup, sour cream & onion, French onion, salsa, picante, adobo sauce, fruit sauces or jams, bean or refried bean dip, etc. The composition of dip condiment in the present invention is such to maintain microbiological and chemical stability at ambient storage conditions. This is achieved through methods currently known in the art, including control of pH, salt concentration, water activity, and/or the use of chemical preservatives such as the various salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sorbic and benzoic acid salts such as sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate. Control of the rheology of the dips is also important to ensure the dip is not too thick or plastic to ensure dipping can be performed without excessive food item breakage, or not so thin in consistency which would cause too little dip to cling to the food item during dipping. Rheological control is achieved through methods currently well known in the art, such as the control of solid contents of one or more of the ingredients, the addition of a texturizing ingredient such as food gums, or via processing steps such as homogenization to control the size distribution of liquid phases within an emulsion.

In certain embodiments, a food item is partially immersed in the condiment dip and pushed or pulled through the condiment dip up against herein disclosed transverse partition wall 2. In certain embodiments, the apertures 12 in the transverse partition wall 2 help remove excess condiment dip on the food item depending in part on the consistency and viscosity of the condiment dip. Spillage of excess condiment dip outside the confines of the bowl/server is further avoided by pushing the food item up the transverse partition wall and the curvature 10 of the T shape configuration at the top of the transverse partition wall 2.

Examples of food items that may be loaded with the condiment dip are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, snacks such as fried, baked or dried foods, e.g., crackers, tortilla or potato chips or vegetables, e.g. carrots or celery. In certain embodiments, the food item can be, for example, French fries, chicken nuggets or fish sticks.

In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be manufactured separately, of different materials, and configured to be affixed to different bowl/server shapes depending on the number and type of condiment dips being served. In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be fastened by a clip or slip-on type system manufactured at its proximal 3 and distal end 4. In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be attached over the side 9 of the bowl/server 1 with or without a strap type system comprising, for example, Velcro™ strap fastened around the outside of the bowl/server 1.

For example, in some embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be secured to the side wall 9 of the bowl/server 1 using a clip-on configuration. FIG. 3A shows an exemplary top perspective view of bowl/server 1 where the outer edge 18 and inner edge 19 of the clip-on clamp onto the side wall 9 of the bowl/server 1. FIG. 3B shows the distance between the outer edge 18 and inner edge 19 of the clip-on clamp is greater at the top end 20 than at the bottom end 21. This configuration of the clip-on clamp forms a pincer that can clamp on to the side wall 9 of the bowl/server 1.

In certain embodiments, a lid can also be attached to the transverse partition wall 2 and the side wall 9 of the bowl/server 1, for example, prior to storage and/or refrigeration.

In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be designed with fixed apertures of different shapes and sizes as depicted in FIG. 1C. In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 50 or more apertures 12. In certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can be manufactured without any apertures 12, e.g. the transverse partition wall 2 can be solid.

As shown in FIG. 2, in certain embodiments, the transverse partition wall 2 can further comprise a sliding transverse partition wall 15 that is adjacent to the transverse partition wall 2 and slides along the upper 13 and lower 14 railings until secured by a locking mechanism. The apertures 12 of the transverse partition wall 2 can have the same spatial configuration of apertures 16 as the sliding transverse partition wall 15. As shown in FIG. 2A, the apertures 12 and 16 can superimpose on each other allowing excess liquid of the condiment dip on the food item to pass through the transverse partition wall 2. Lateral movement of the sliding partition wall 15 with respect to the transverse partition wall 2 in the direction 17 (see FIG. 2B) allows the user to change the size of the apertures of the transverse partition wall 2 and obtain the desired aperture size to load the food item with the desired amount of the condiment dip while removing the desired amount of excess liquid. In certain embodiments, the sliding transverse partition wall 15 can be configured to allow the apertures in the transverse partition wall 2 to be fully opened or fully closed. In certain embodiments, the sliding partition wall 15 can slide against the transverse partition wall 2 on the opposite side from the compartment containing the condiment dip 6. In certain embodiments, this is the opposite side from where the top 5 of the transverse partition wall 2 having a T shape configuration protrudes above compartment 6. In certain embodiments, the sliding partition wall 15 can be removeable from the transverse partition wall 2 for cleaning/washing purposes.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. 

1. An open top container comprising a peripheral wall defining a substantially closed inner chamber; a transverse partition wall inside the container inner chamber separating the inner chamber into a first and second compartments; wherein the first compartment contains a condiment dip, and wherein the transverse partition wall is configured to facilitate the loading of the condiment dip onto a food item without spillage outside the container's peripheral wall.
 2. The open top container of claim 1, wherein a cross section of the top of the transverse partition wall has a T shape configuration.
 3. The open top container of claim 2, wherein the T shape configuration comprises a 90-degree angle filled with a curvature.
 4. The open top container of claim 1, wherein the internal volume of the first compartment is greater than that of the second compartment.
 5. The open top container of claim 1, wherein the second compartment is empty.
 6. The open top container of claim 1, wherein the bottom, distal and proximal edges of the transverse partition wall form a fluid-tight seal with the receptacle's inner chamber.
 7. The open top container of claim 1, wherein the transverse partition wall is perpendicular to the peripheral wall and base of the container's inner chamber.
 8. The open top container of claim 1, wherein the transverse partition wall comprises a plurality of apertures.
 9. The open top container of claim 1, wherein the transverse partition wall is detachable.
 10. The open top container of claim 9, wherein the proximal and distal ends of the transverse partition wall comprise a clip-on clamp.
 11. A method for loading a condiment dip onto a food item without spillage, comprising: partially immersing the food item into the condiment dip contained in an open top container comprising a peripheral wall defining a generally closed inner chamber; a transverse partition wall inside the container inner chamber separating the inner chamber into a first and a second compartment, wherein the first compartment contains the condiment dip, and moving the food item through the condiment dip toward and up the transverse partition wall prior to removing the food item from the open top container, wherein a cross-section of the top of the transverse partition wall has a T shape configuration with a curvature filling the 90-degree angle that facilitates the loading of the condiment onto the food item without spillage outside the container's peripheral wall.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the transverse partition wall is perpendicular to the peripheral wall and base of the container's inner chamber.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the internal volume of the first compartment is greater than that of the second compartment.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the second compartment is empty.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the transverse partition wall comprises a plurality of apertures that facilitate the removal of excess condiment dip loaded onto the food product.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the transverse partition wall is removable.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the food item comprises a dry baked food product.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the baked food product comprises a potato or tortilla chip, a cracker or a pretzel.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the food item is a vegetable.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the condiment dip comprises salsa, cheese or a sauce. 